If you need child care for school-age children, call the toll-free number 1-888-600-1685 to be connected with options through the North Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Find Child Care NC service.

In partnership with NC’s Child Care Resource and Referral system, representatives are available to assist on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Care options are also available for children from infants through age 12.

When you call the hotline, child care referral specialists will provide referrals to licensed child care programs that are open and have vacancies for the age of the child or children for whom care is being requested.

Availability of child care varies from community to community. Options for Polk County residents may include options beyond the county’s borders.